Elysian Eats: Spirulina Cacao Truffles

While Spirulina Cacao Truffles may not exactly roll off the tongue, I can honestly say that these are my go-to when it comes to high-vibrational snacks. Raw, antioxidant rich, and extremely energizing, these bite-sized treats can be served up as a morning snack, an afternoon treat, or an easy dessert at the end of a long day.

Raw date balls have been gaining popularity for some time now for a few reasons. Firstly, they’re incredible easy to make (no oven, no problem). Secondly, they pack a healthful punch with their raw enzymatic activity, lastly, they’re incredibly adaptable and can be made with any slew of ingredients that suits you. When brainstorming the elements to combine for this recipe, I referenced a few of my favorite snack foods, and came up with a tasty list of powerful life-loving nutrients. Read on for the health benefits tied to each.

• SPIRULINA

This ingredient is exceptionally beneficial to the body, and is made up of blue-green algae that has between 55 and 70% easily digestible protein, high levels of essential fatty acids, vitamin B12, iron, and a slew of other powerful phytonutrients and acids that optimize your health. In fact, this combination of beneficial nutrients has been proven to instantly increase your energy, help reduce overall fatigue, and aids in cleansing the body of toxins and other impurities, especially heavy metals (just think of our polluted air). Spirulina’s raw enzymes help to break down food, promote the growth of good flora in our digestive tract, and inhibits bad bacteria and yeasts.

• RAW CACAO

Raw cacao is the purest form of chocolate, known to release the “love” chemical in our brain. It promotes a positive outlook, calms our nerves, helps us focus, and eases PMS and digestion. Cacao raises our serotonin levels, and is loaded with magnesium — the mineral that most people are deficient in due to high stress levels, and a lack of green vegetables in the diet. Eating magnesium-rich foods like cacao can increase the oxygen in our body to boost our energy, balance our mood, and lift our spirits.

• DATES

Dates are sweet and soft, and surprisingly high in fiber. They naturally replenish our energy levels by quickly converting its simple sugars into glucose for our cells to use as energy. Dates are also high in electrolytes, magnesium, and potassium, which are great for reducing muscle fatigue, making them an excellent pre- and post-workout snack. When it comes to making raw and gluten-free snacks, dates are also a perfect binder and natural sweetener, so you don’t have to worry about adding sugar.

• GOJI BERRIES

Goji berries are next-level in the realm of dried fruits. They are a beautiful, bright red color with a unique taste that is a combination of earthy, a little lemony, a little sweet, and even a tad bit spicy. Goji berries strengthen our immune system, support a healthy libido, and are a complete source of protein.

• BRAZIL NUTS

Brazil nuts are known for their high levels of selenium, which boosts immunity, fights cancer, and uplifts the mood. This high fibrous nut cleanses the body and eases elimination, which in turn helps to maintain a healthy weight and offer up more energy.

• ORANGE ZEST

Who would have thought to eat the rind of an orange? Orange zest (or the zest from any citrus) is brimming with flavonoids, phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. As if that weren’t enough, orange zest is actually higher in vitamin C than the flesh itself, and has incredible anti-inflammatory properties.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Presoak your dates for 10-15 minutes in warm water. This softens them so they’re easier to work with.
2. Chop up your nuts and goji berries. You can use a food processor, or manually chop them with a knife. It’s up to you whether you’d like chunky pieces of brazil nuts and goji berries in each bite, or if you’d like the texture of your truffles to be smooth. Set aside.

3. Pulse dates in food processor until you get a smooth texture. Make sure you remove the pits beforehand.
4. Add your dry ingredients and the orange zest into the food processor to blend thoroughly. You can also use a large bowl and mix together.

5. Add cacao powder to a medium-sized bowl. Roll the mixture into balls, and roll them out into the cacao powder. I like to get a large spoonful of the mixture and put it in the bowl, moving the bowl so the truffle rolls around, picking up the cacao powder on its own. If the dough is too soft, try putting it in the freezer to let it harden a bit.
6. Place the raw spirulina truffles in a small glass container, and store them in the fridge or freezer. Feel free to get creative with this recipe, and mix and match your own toppings. Hemp seed, or coconut shreds are both great options.

Lyssandra Guerra is a certified Holistic Nutritionist based out of Oakland, California. Using a thoughtful path of whole foods, herbs, and daily rituals, she guides her clients in healing from the inside out. Her aim is to inspire others to eat smart, simple, and nutritious foods so that they can reclaim their health, vitality and glow.

Melanie Riccardi is a product and commercial photographer in San Francisco. Her desire for simplicity has influenced her minimalistic style.

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The Elysian Edit is a design, culture and lifestyle website founded by Jessica Comingore. The Elysian Edit explores the art of refined living, and is built on the idea that modest, intentional design can help enrich our lives and elevate our day-to-day.